Keeping an eye on the surroundings

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Kinetic terahertz absorption (KITA) uses a picosecond-duration terahertz pulse to monitor directly changes in solvent dynamics during molecular self-assembly on a reaction time scale of milliseconds to seconds. In their Communication M. Gruebele and ...
Kinetic terahertz absorption (KITA) uses a picosecond-duration terahertz pulse to monitor directly changes in solvent dynamics during molecular self-assembly on a reaction time scale of milliseconds to seconds. In their Communication, M. Gruebele and co-workers describe the application of this method to investigate the reorganization of solvent water during the folding of a protein (in this case ubiquitin). Credit: (C) Wiley-VCH 2008
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Water is no passive spectator of biological processes; it is an active participant. Protein folding is thus a self-organized process in which the actions of the solvent play a key role. So far, the emphasis in studies of protein folding processes has been on observation of the protein backbone and its side chains. Researchers led by Martin Gruebele and Martina Havenith have now been able to detect changes in the protein–water network during protein folding in real time.


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New penguin species found in New Zealand

9 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Australian and New Zealand researchers have used ancient DNA from penguin fossils to make a startling discovery that may change the way we view species extinctions.

Falling home ownership, equity, affect college enrollment

10 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Sagging college enrollments may be the next symptom of the sub-prime mortgage mess, according to a University of Michigan economist.

Scientists fight stem rust UG99 before it becomes a threat

11 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Wheat breeders and plant pathologists at Montana State University are part of a global effort to develop varieties of wheat resistant to a new fungus. UG99, a stem rust strain that was first discovered in ...

Scientist Unlocking the Secrets of Sea Slug that Lives Like a Plant

11 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Photosynthesis generates the oxygen needed for life on earth as well as the biomass for food and biofuel production. The process is driven by the absorption of the sun’s energy by tiny green "bodies" called ...

Archeologists say they found witch doctor skeleton

11 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Archeologists believe a 12,000-year-old skeleton found in a grave containing 50 tortoise shells, a leopard pelvis, a cow tail and part of an eagle wing is the remains of a witch doctor.
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